Thai Airways which commenced operations in to Colombo in 1976, and have been flying  three times a week between Colombo and Bangkok added another frequency, to their schedules to Colombo, this week, making it four flights per week.

From 2nd April, Thai Airways TG 307, will leave Bangkok on Tuesday at 2215 hrs, arriving in Colombo at 0001 hrs on Wednesday.

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On April 1st SriLankan Airlines launched ‘SmiLes’ its new frequent flyer programme, to promote a wide range of exciting rewards for passengers travelling with Sri Lanka’s award winning national carrier.

Manoj Gunawardena, Head of Worldwide Passenger Sales on the launch of the new incentive said “SmiLes will be positioned as the ‘Frequent flyer programme that rewards and delights’ and it will open doors to a world of rewards for our passengers.”

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Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) launched ‘Deep South’, the destination promotion initiative in a bid to popularize the many attractions in the area. Manchester Solutions, UK and Mercy Corps, USA have assisted in the efforts of HDCC in showcasing the many attractions of Hambantota to the travelling public the world over.

The launch of www.deepsouth.lk, a website giving information to travellers to Hambantota, will also be a guide to the diversity of natural attractions on offer. The sunny beaches stretching long and invitingly along the coast, Bundala and Udawalawe national parks in the interior, historical sites of Kirinda and Mulkirigala, Hummnaya blow hole, scuba diving and snorkelling in Tangalle, turtle watching in Rekewa, jungle river safari in Ambalantota to Ussangoda the legendary landing place of Ravana; the attractions of Hambantota are many and varied. The ‘Deep South’ conjures visuals of happy, smiling villagers welcoming tourists to treat them with legendary Sri Lankan hospitality.

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Adding yet another laurel to its many; the SriLankan Airlines Technical Training efforts were awarded the globally recognised EASA 147 certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency, permitting the airline to provide training in Aircraft maintenance to foreign and local students. SriLankan Engineering also received EASA 145 certification in recognition of its commitment to the highest standards of professionalism in aircraft maintenance. 

Sri Lanka Calling congratulates the team at SriLankan Airlines and is proud to be associated with the award winning airline in promoting destination Sri Lanka; a land like no other.  

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The National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka’s exhibition of locally produced handicrafts is on at the Colombo National Art Gallery, from 4th to 6th April, and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. An initiative to popularize rural industries and self employment projects, the fair will have over 100 stall holders exhibiting their products ranging from ornaments to gift items to food, indigenous to Sri Lanka.

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A 10 acre plot of land belonging to Cinnamon Lodge Habarana is now a beautiful Butterfly Garden. It is located in an ecologically rich plot of land, making an ideal habitat to attract butterflies with its bio-diversity.

The over 300 varieties of plants in the garden attract many butterflies and the most recent spotted  by Dr.Micheale Van der Poorten, the consultant on the project is the Orange Migrant (Catopsilia Scyla) which is found in Asia, and not sighted in Sri Lanka this far.   

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The state run handicrafts emporium Laksala recently launched its website www.laksala.lk computerizing three of its sales outlets – York Street, Thunmulla and Kandy enabling both suppliers and buyers to be better facilitated.

The objective of Laksala is to promote and protect Sri Lankan handicrafts by providing craftsmen with opportunities for marketing their products. They also provide design ideas and crafts skills improvement methodology, in collaboration with the National Craft Council and the National Design Centre.  

Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. the local arm of Leo Burnett Worldwide and Triad the wholly Sri Lankan advertising agency, brought glory to Sri Lanka in the international arena, when LBSI won a Silver and TRIAD, a Bronze at the at ADFEST 2008, in Thailand last week. 

Sri Lanka Calling congratulates both teams and wishes them continuing success in their creative endeavours, which put the spotlight on Sri Lanka and its peoples’ creativity.

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SAGA Holidays of the United Kingdom, a niche market tour operator, in Sri Lanka since 1996, is expanding their programmes in Sri Lanka from a Sun and Sand destination to include nature, adventure and wildlife holidays. They have once again rewarded the Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya with the “Two Rosette” award.  

The Grand Hotel is placed among other premium Hotels worldwide patronized by SAGA’s discerning clientele of over 800,000 with a repeat client base.   

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